Daniel H. Wilson's first foray into juvenile fiction is full of whimsy and charm and comes with one of the more delightful characters you'd ever want to read: Gary the Atomic Slaughterbot. Just check out this encounter between Code Lightfall and the threatening Gary as Code realizes that he can order the bot around:

"Wait. You're my atomic slaughterbot?"
Gary paused. "That's right. And who are you?"
"I'm Code, and I need to ask you for a favor."
"Anything for you, Code." Gary waited for Code's command.
Code took a deep breath and then blurted it out: "No slaughter."
"Come again?"
"No slaughtering. You can't slaughter."
"Once more?"
"You aren't allowed to slaughter anyone. No slaughtering. Can't slaughter. No. Slaughter."
"Not quite sure I understand. Are you saying that I should not slaughter? Or is this a metaphor? Or some kind of riddle? I'm not very good at riddles. Only slaughtering."

In reading this one aloud for Ethan, I used my best Ted "Theodore" Logan from Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure voice. And it was most excellent. dude. Rad!

Full Review on my blog.